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Monday, January 30, 2017

Summer School 2017

Summer
School 2017

21st
– 23rd July

Fircroft
College, Birmingham

These days, concerns about the
environment tend to get pushed into the background by issues like Brexit,
Trump’s presidency and ongoing austerity measures. But climate change,
pollution and extinctions don’t go away just because the headlines are filled
with other events. 2016 was the warmest year on record, with implications for
sea levels and habitats; more and more waste is produced for future generations
to deal with, and many hundreds of species continue to become extinct every
year.

Legislation places some restrictions on
the use of dangerous materials, hunting and waste disposal, for example.
However, legislators can only work within a system which is structured to
safeguard the interests of the wealthy elite, rather than everyone. And of
course laws don’t always prevent environmentally-damaging methods from being
used if they save or make money. Capitalism turns the natural world into a
resource to be exploited for a profit.

The Socialist Party argues that the
environment can only be managed responsibly if society as a whole is managed
co-operatively and in everyone’s interests. If our industries and services were
owned and run in common, then we would be able to produce what we need and want
in the most reasonable, sustainable way.

Our weekend of talks and discussions
looks at the current state of the environment, and its prospects for the future
we make for it.

Full residential cost (including
accommodation and meals Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) is £100. The
concessionary rate is £50. Day visitors are welcome, but please book in
advance.